current staff

Jes Stewart-Wagner

Editor-in-Chief

Through the intersection of visual art and written word, my goal is to weave together multiple forms of creative expression to amplify the voices that often go unheard. As a graphic design and studio art major, I understand that some of life's most profound truths are better expressed through artistic mediums than spoken aloud.

Currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Tenth Muse, I approach my role with both humility and purpose. It's a privilege and an honor to help share these voices, understanding the weight and importance of curating works that resonate with others' lived experiences.

Beyond the studio and writing desk, I breathe new life into forgotten treasures. My passion for thrifting and vintage restoration reflects a deeper appreciation for the stories embedded in well-worn objects – each item carrying its own narrative, waiting to be rediscovered and reimagined.

While many artists dream of conversations with their creative heroes, my curiosity takes a different path. Rather than seeking dialogue, I wish to witness the raw, unfiltered creative process of other artists at work. This desire to observe and learn speaks to my commitment to understanding the authentic moments where art takes shape.

In an age of constant connectivity, I find extraordinary wonder in something seemingly mundane: my headphones. To me, this portal to endless artistic expression represents a remarkable privilege – the ability to immerse myself in music, stories, and audio art at any moment. What a time to be alive! I marvel, embracing the technology that allows for continuous creative inspiration.

Through my multidisciplinary approach to art and unwavering appreciation for the creative process, I embody the spirit of a true artistic explorer. Whether through design, visual art, or written word, my work continues to challenge the boundaries between different forms of expression while amplifying the voices that need to be heard.

Michael pettke

co-editor in chief of marketing

Michael Pettke is a junior graphic design student whose creative vision extends far beyond the conventional boundaries of digital art. At Clarke University, he has cultivated a personal approach to visual expression and digital art through photo montage and digital collaging, while simultaneously developing his voice as a persuasive writer. Pettke's artistic philosophy is deeply rooted in the power of rediscovery. He finds inspiration in the plethora of historical art archives online, believing that forgotten artistic treasures—whether they be vintage advertisements, obscure photographs, or long-lost literary works—deserve a second life in contemporary context. His work often involves breathing new purpose into these overlooked artifacts, transforming them into fresh narratives through careful curation and digital manipulation.

The collaborative environment at Clarke University has shaped Pettke's creative journey in unexpected ways. While his formal training in graphic design provides technical foundation, he credits the diverse influences of professors and peers across disciplines for expanding his artistic horizons. This interdisciplinary exposure has reinforced his belief that meaningful creativity often emerges from the unexpected intersections of different fields and perspectives. Pettke's appreciation for narrative and character development is exemplified in his admiration for literary figures such as Andy Dufresne from "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption." His fascination with Dufresne's journey and others who partake on the non traditional journey of ahero reflect his own interest in how circumstances and challenges shape the human experience. 

Through his work as a designer, Pettke serves as a modern curator of forgotten art, bridging the gap between past and present. His creative process involves not just creating new art but reimagining and recontextualizing existing works that lie dormant in digital archives. This approach has led him to the position of Co-Editor in Chief of marketing for the Tenth Muse literary magazine. With this emphasis on forgotten resources Pettke aims to guide the literary publication as an inspiration not only for students on Clarke’s campus, but for the entire Tenth Muse community.

laura Ruley

Marketing Manager

Laura doesn’t believe in perfection, only progress. She continues to learn, grow, and embrace what makes her different—because that’s where her true strength lies. Rooted in family, and fueled by curiosity, Laura is always finding new ways forward, as she navigates life’s twists and turns with determination to grow. Her journey hasn’t been about overcoming obstacles so much as learning to work with them.

Laura’s passion for creativity and storytelling led her to pursue a degree in Digital Media Studies at Clarke University. This program has given her the opportunity to explore a wide range of skills, including design, video production, writing, and digital strategy. Clarke’s small, close-knit environment has allowed her to build strong connections with professors and classmates, making her education both personal and meaningful. Through her studies, she continues to develop her creative voice and technical abilities, eager to see how she can apply them in the future.

At the heart of everything Laura does is her family. They are her foundation, her constant, and no matter where life takes her, she will always show up for them. To her, success isn’t just about personal achievements—it’s about the relationships she builds and the people she supports along the way.

Along with the creative aspects of her studies, Laura has developed a deep appreciation for the communications side of digital media. Understanding how messages are crafted, shared, and interpreted has helped her strengthen her ability to connect with different audiences. Through coursework in media theory, public relations, and strategic communication, she has gained insight into the power of storytelling—not just visually, but in how words and messaging shape perceptions. This knowledge has enhanced her ability to create meaningful, impactful content that resonates with people.

Being a student at Clarke has also strengthened Laura’s ability to balance multiple responsibilities while staying dedicated to her growth. Whether she is working on a media project, contributing to a class discussion, or exploring new creative tools, she approaches every opportunity with curiosity and a drive to improve. She enjoys the challenge of taking an idea and shaping it into something impactful, whether through visual storytelling, digital content creation, or multimedia production.

Emily MErz

Design Crew

I’m Emily Merz: a sophomore at Clarke University. I was born and have lived in Dubuque, Iowa my whole life and I am currently pursuing a major in Graphic Design and Studio Art. I have a passion for art history and how human culture alters the way we express ourselves. I indulge in smaller hobbies like writing and cooking in my spare time.

I have experience in several digital and traditional tools when it comes to artistic expression. I work with Adobe applications, Blender, a variety of video editors, and writing software like Evernote, Oblivion, and Microsoft Word. However, working with traditional mediums, specifically pencil drawing, is my greatest strength. 

I often turn to art and cultural history of the 1800’s for my motivation and admiration for art. Seeing how art was used throughout history and how it connects all aspects of human culture to our history is fascinating and often overlooked. In a way, history has taught me that art is everywhere in human design, even in the greatly underappreciated things we use every day . Art, history, and culture are everywhere, and that kind of knowledge about the world is what I am eager to explore.

I am most excited to experience the process of development related to literary magazines. It will be of great use to me as I plan on doing something similar later in my field of interest. My biggest drive for the literary magazine is for my interest in how society put together art to express ourselves, and to have an entire magazine dedicated to preserving the art of our current artists only continues to add onto my admiration for human society. I plan to use my interests and knowledge in art history to push the creative direction of the literary magazine to its fullest potential.

Abby pierce

Marketing Crew

Abby Pierce is a Clarke sophomore who is currently double majoring in Art and Graphic Design and minoring in Communications. Abby is also a member of the women’s cross-country team at Clarke. She tends to indulge herself in human-emotional visual art (which is artwork that evokes strong emotions to its viewer(s). The specific forms of expression that interest her the most are works that include the human form, organic and natural forms such as botanical illustration and landscape, reading short novels, and photography. She has been interested in visual art, storytelling and the wondrous intricacies of nature her whole life. Living in the rural Midwest, she was always prone to spending her time outdoors. 

There have been many artists shaping her worldview, the first being her mom who in her early childhood introduced her to watercolors and took her to painting classes. Throughout her life, many other artists have influenced Abby also. Some, through their ability to tell a story, and to introduce her to different kinds of characters, life lessons, and other worlds, and others with their visual work. Abby indulges in contemporary artist’s work through online websites and social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, as most artists display and sometimes sell their work publicly through those forums. Abby has also gained inspiration through art history classes she has taken, as well as in-class critiques and discussions with peers. She is constantly looking at the nature of different artists and their works. Visual artists she aspires to emulate are often those who create intricate and detailed illustrations of people captured in their natural state through photography or malleable media- especially messy pen sketches of mundane life. Most of the art that catches her eye involves implied feelings of pure joy, to human loneliness and grief, earthy textures and color, somber lighting, high contrasts of light, checkered and floral patterning, large drawings or murals, and especially artwork with a high level of detail and methodical structure. What she finds most valuable, however, is the emotional authenticity in the representation of natural forms and storytelling of the human experience.

Abby’s creative process has always been about seeing something she connects with in a photograph, magazine article, cover, or person, and trying to emulate it to the best of her ability. However, Abby has not yet discovered her niche or perfected any style, and she doesn’t believe she will ever stick exclusively to one style or medium. As an artist she has explored a variety of genres, styles and materials in her creative practice, including photography, watercolor, oil, acrylic, graphite pencil, charcoal, ink, oil pastels, portraiture, surrealism, conceptual, domestic animals, and landscapes.

Outside of her artistic pursuits Abby tries to achieve mental and physical clarity through lifting weights, working out, walking or hiking outside, road tripping, journaling, reading, listening to 60’s-80’s classics, and going to Catholic Mass every Sunday with her Grandpa, Mom, and sister Elle, as well as learning more about nutrition and overall health and wellness practices.

Abby is glad to be a part of the production of the Tenth Muse Magazine along with fellow Clarke artists!

ALyssa VanderHeiden

Designer

Finding her home amongst the friendly and creative energy of Clarke's art department, Alyssa VanderHeiden approaches her junior year with hopes of establishing herself as an illustrator. Her choice to pursue an Art Studio major wasn't merely pragmatic— it was in recognition of the program's unique atmosphere and its alignment with her artistic style.

Alyssa brings her passion for visual storytelling to the Tenth Muse, where she sees the intersection of literary arts and graphic design as an exciting new step in her creative journey. Through her work with the Tenth Muse, Alyssa aims to build a sophisticated portfolio that bridges the worlds of literature and design, laying the groundwork for her aspirations in the publishing industry.

Her inspiration flows from the often-overlooked beauty of the Midwest. Where others in the world might lack interest in the stereotypically flat farmland, Alyssa discovers endless compositions waiting to be captured in the landscape. She finds immense beauty in the lush greens of summer and the rolling hills of trees. Even the vast, never-ending corn fields sprinkled with farmhouses spark a feeling of nostalgia and inspiration.

Through her artistic journey, Alyssa has learned to embrace the challenging aspects of creative work and accept the fact that in order to grow, an artist may need to fail. She acknowledges that not every project will reach its full potential, whether due to time constraints or other limitations. Yet these experiences have strengthened her drive to manage time wisely and maintain a positive mindset, even when faced with daunting projects. She is still learning to grow her skills and creativity, finding ways to invest herself fully in each endeavor, and transforming obligations into opportunities for self-expression.

Her artistic aspirations stem not from a desire for fame, but from a promise to her younger self. While some creatives may feel the need to be revolutionary, Alyssa finds strength in quiet determination. Her goal isn't to become the next Van Gogh, but rather to honor that young girl who first dreamed of being an artist. Success, for her, means building a life where success isn't defined by a page in a history book, but by doing what she loves.

Abigail Eltrich

Marketing

Hi, my name is Abigail Eltrich. I am a communications major at Clarke University pursuing a minor in writing. My path to communications was not a straight line – it was a thoughtful pivot that revealed my true calling. Originally a biology major, I discovered my genuine passion lay in the intersection of writing, public speaking, and sales. My appreciation for communications and writing classes developed from several classes I took during high school, which allowed me more creative freedom to express myself. As a writer, I gravitate toward art and poetry that stirs emotions and creates meaningful impressions. My approach to writing mirrors my favorite tool: the computer. It’s reliable and ready to pick up exactly where I left off, retaining thoughts and preserving ideas over time. This creative approach shapes my solutions to various projects and assists my development as a communicator.

I also spend a good deal of time reading and making trips back and forth to my local library, finding inspiration in the artistic style of different authors. For example, Dr. Seuss's ability to weave intricate messages into simple narratives. I admire how his work eliminates age barriers while delivering deeper meanings. I also appreciate contemporary authors like J.K. Rowling, whose Harry Potter series demonstrates the power of imaginative storytelling, and Suzanne Collins, whose work prompts me to consider the real-world events that can spark epic narratives. These authors have inspired me to pursue a minor in writing.My motivation for my communications major is slightly different. Looking ahead, I aim to channel my communication skills and creative mindset into either pharmaceutical sales or digital marketing. My goal is not just to find a career, but to secure a position where I can engage with others while continuing to grow professionally. I hope for a future where my workday is more than just a 9-to-5 commitment – it will serve as opportunity to advance my skills and make meaningful contributions to my field.

Between my love for expressive writing and my practical approach to communication, I represent a growing generation of professionals who understand that effective communication thrives with both creativity and strategy. My journey from biology to communications is not just a change of major – it is a story of discovering where passion meets purpose.